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Bible Standard.
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VOL. 28.

No. 9.

AUCKLAND,

N.Z., SEPTEMBER,

1907.

TWOPENCE.

~~~'~~11j1TY years ago the city of Chicago stood fiftecn feet or more below its present level. From that lower plane the enti re city W[lS lifted to the point at which it now stands. This was not accompl ishcd bv :my volcanic or other seismic uphcaval ; it was the result of a wisclv conceived and skilfully executed work of public improvement. "Onc after another of the immense buildings of that great city was lifted to the desired level and there securely established .. ~o building was too great thus to be dealt with, and no building was damaged by the process, for 18utlNng from at a uniform speed and simultane18eneatb. ouslv everv inch of the structure was lifted up, From the foundation to the roof the entire building, however vast, moved steadily upward to the desired height. Beneath that foundation thousands of: giant jack-screws were properly placed and manned hY workmen, who, with the accuracy of clockwork and all at once, turned the screws that forced the building upward. 'I'hus up and up to the desired height those colossal buildings were borne, and were there securclv hclrl until beneath and around them earth was filled in to the present elevation." "Within the Church of the Living God is the nccessitv for an elevation of its conception of the true place and value of the Bible. That work of raising the city was done by the labour of men who knew precisely what they wanted to do, and by applying the means to secure the object sought. But, unfortuuately, the Church of Goel to-dav does not seem to have any idea at all that the conception which it cherishes of Divine Truth is at all below the actual standard, and regards as fanatics those who suggest that in the smallest degree it falls short of the true

appreciation, The verv self-complacence of the Church on this subject has allowed the "false teachers" within its walls to spread their unblushing denials of tile Truth, and has allowed them to receive the plaud its of its members. ]t is high time that an attempt were made to put the jacks beneath the structure, that it may be lifted out of the mists anc1 miasmas where it now dwells, and may get into the atmosphere where the sun shines, and the clear air of heaven blows, Let the workmen "[1])proved of God" get to this duty, and, by insistence upon the value of the Word, and that it means what it savs, trv to lift the Church to the level of hflving a better conception of Goel and of His purpose than now exists. 'T'he New Theology has not been sprung upon us surldcnly as a full-blown system, It is here as the product of a good many ideas which have obtained currency ill the Church. They have been admitted under philosophic guise, as perfectly innocent things, nay, so it was claimed, as '{tbe IDoctrine helping the believer in his contest of gmmanence. with opponents of Christianity. But these supposed useful aids have now proved to be devices of the enemy to conduct the Church into difficult)', danger, and possibly ruin. A few years ago a word came into thcologv which, by its glamour, seemed to fascinate many leading theological writers. They spoke much of the "Immanence of God." Probably not a few caught up the term from them, and employed it, hardlv knowing what the word signified. But it is certain that it became a common one in Christian literahue, and has been a popular word with many preachers, who used it without taking the trouble to tell the people just what it meant, Now we arc reaping a harvest in the ~ ew Theology which has been contributed to by the so-called doctrine' of Immanence. The dictionary meaning of the word is a "permanent abiding within," and theologically it means "the essential presence of Goel in all the universe. yet distinct from it." On the other sicle of this is the philosophic term "transcendent," which means above and bevond. So "an immanent Goel is ono who abides within the world; a transcendent Goel is a God who dwells above and bevond the world." To meet the position of those who have virtually taught that God had

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~--------~~~~~~====~~-----=~~--~=-made a self-acting machine, and then had left it to work in obedience to its own self-acting forces, the doctrine of Lnuuaucncc was insisted upon. So far so gooc1; but this has been carried to such a degree that it is now 'assorted that all human thought and will is in reality God's thought and will. The dreadful idea of Mr. Campbell that sin is "a quest for God," is really a result of the acceptance of this extreme view of the doctrine of the ] minanence of Goel. As Dr. Rashrlull puts it in the Contempora1'Y Review, "Immanence involves the consequonce that the greatest scoundrels of history and the greatest saints arc 'part of Goel.' " Tt is needless to Ray that the Bible gives no support to this view of the matter. That it has a doctrine of Immanence is certainly true. From the time when "the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the deep," He has upheld all things by His power, and if "He withdraw His Spirit Ube 1Blble and His breath all flesh shall perish IDle\\? together, and man shall turn again nnto dust." His is the breath of life possessed by all liring things, l111t for the use which is made of the powor it confers uponintclligent beings tbey who P08srs;-;it are responsible. Sometimes the text is quoted, "Tn Tlim we live and more and have 0111' eing," as if it b supported this spreading idea of the Immanence of Goel in man. But surelv a careful reading of that passage would show that it asserts rather the immanence of mom. in Gad! It puts us under Divine provision, and as recipients of His tender mercy, and because of our position it shows 11S as creatures responsible to our Creator; but it viclds nothing to the philosophic idea so glibly affirmed. There is another thing to be noted, and that is, that there is promised, and given, to the believer the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. That is an immanence that is allied only with good. It belongs only to him who by faith becomes a new creature. So much is clear, and ought to be insisted upon against that pernicious doctrine which is making God responsihle for the sins and follies of men. One writer well says: "The pantheistic conceptions of the 'New Theology' have fallen on ground prepared for them by the slipshod use of this word, and the Church will do well to cease to talk loosely of 'the Immanence of God in the materia] world,' and to revert to other and more Scriptural conceptions of His relation to the Universe." A short time ago there died a man who had earned the gratitude of the denomination he represented for his faithful labours as a missionary. The name of Dr. Lamb, of the New Hebrides Mission, was well known in New Zealand. He contracted a disease during the time he laboured '{tbe @Ib as a missionary which brought him jfalseboob. to the grave while yet in his prime. The zealous labourers in mission fields are all too few, and the loss of such a one as Dr, Lamb is deeply regretter]

THE

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STANDARD.

SEPTEMBER,

1907.

by those in whose behalf he laboured. The occasion of iI is funeral was used as an opportunity to set Jorth the philosophic opinions which have replaced the hope furnished in the Word of God. The preacher said: "To-day we commit to the ground all that was mortal of Dr. Robert Lamb, but I need not tell you that the remains we have this day thrust into the ground out of sight are not IiohertLa mb at all. Even Plato, more than 2,500 vcars ago, knew better than that. He records that Socrates, when he was asked by his disciples where they should hnry him after his death, replied: 'You may bury Socrates when 'you can catch him. But you must catch him first.' ,Vc in this twentieth century know also that Robert Lamb is not lying in the cold tomb; he has gone elsewhere to fresh avenues of work, to new activities of service, to labour under better conditions than he enjoyed here." Thus, according to this Presbyterian c1ivine, Robert Lamb is not buried, is not even dead, but is engaged in congenial fruitful service! Why, then, weep and fuss oyer the body? Lies over a grave do not thereby become truth; anc1 that these are lies, if God's Worrl is true, is certain. According to it, man dies, and in the death-state "knows not anything," and the impossibility of: renclering service is further emphasised in the statement that there is "no work, nor device, nOT knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest." God has made no exception in favour of Robert Lamb. There is no word in the report of this address that refers to the Bible hope of resurrection and the Lord's return, yet these arc what are furnished by special revelation as the source of comfort for those who mourn. "Why were they omitted?" is it asked? We reply, because there is no known method of satisfactorily harmonising a belief in soul-immortality with these doctrines. So long as it is held and taught, for so long will these great Scripture doctrines he kept in the background. There are two fundamental questions that every intelligent Christian needs to ask, and to be SUTethat he has the correct answers to them: Is the Bible the Word of God? What Does the Bible Teach? The first of these questions is especially important 3-s tbe 1Blble in this critical age, when sceptitbe 'Wlorb of (1;ob?cism is in the air. If the Bible is not the Word of God, i.e., a direct revelation from God in the ordinary Evangelical sense of that expression, if it is a merely human and natural evolution from the religious experiences of the Jewish race, then the seconc1 question, What Does the Bible 'reach? becomes comparatively unimportant. ] f the Bible is simply one book of religion among many, andliaving no 1n01'eautho1'ity than the others, the inquiry about its teachings becomes mainly a matter of curiosity, devoid of practical interest. Here is where the evidences of Christianity come in. What reasons are there for believing that the Bible is the Word of God, and, as a revelation from God, possessed of a Divine authority? For a generation and more this has been a neglected ques-

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SEPTEMBER,

1907.

THE

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controverted subject we must abide by the literal sense, which is uniform throughout the whole Scriptures." Because those who profess to follow Luther have neglected this good advice, there have arisen many conflicting views as to what the Scripture teaches. If we would all agree to adopt the Reformer's wholesome advice we should not only get closer to each other, but a large mass of that which now passes muster as good divinity would be cast on the rubbish heap, where it rightfully belongs.

tion, particularly in the pulpits and the schools. As sensible people cease to believe what they have no reasons for believing, there are nrultitudes in our Christian communities at the present time who have no intelligent faith in the Bible as a revelation from God. Hence the crying need for a revival everywhere of the teaching of the Christian Evidences. This is the only way to arm n~en against the blatant scepticism that insists upon puttmg the Bible on a level with our human books and attributing to it only the same order of inspiration that is accorded to Homer or Virgil, or Shakespeare or Milton. "When one has adequate reasons for believing that the Bible is the IV ord of God, an authoritative Divine Revelation, then the question, How is it to be interpreted? is in order. Tt would be a simple matter if the Bible hall no more authority than the works 1IUlbat ooes tbe of Shakespeare or Milton. Each :J8fble'tteacb? man might then accept and act upon what pleases him, and reject what does not please him; and no practical harm would come of it. Or he might misinterpret it or repudiate all its alleged teachings at will, with no evil consequences. But if the Bible is God's own message to man, containing Goel's final and supreme utterances concerning Himself, and man, and the eternal destinies, then there is but one course left, and that is to find out just what it says, and to receioe, believe, and act upon that. The answer given to the first question decides the answer that must be given to the second by every reverent Christian man. Both questions demand, just at the present time, most thoughtful and prayerful attention."-The Bible Sil/dent and Teacher. To the foregoing must be added another word, which is that we can only know what the Bible teaches from what it actually says. The loose 'manner in which Bible language is interpreted is truly shocking. Our modern theologians seem to imagine that they have a perfect right to change 'ttbe j!,tteraI the meaning of Bible terms to suit Sense. any view they may please to hold, or to bolster up any theory which can obtain no other support. Long ago Luther penned some sane words on this subject in a letter written to his friend Catharinus, Thns he wrote: "You say it (the Scripture) may be interpreted thus; it may also be understood thus; it may also be answered thus; it may also be literally interpreted thus; it may also be mystically interpreted thus-away with all these maqbes. 'I'hese, my friend Catharinus, are all refuges of lies, mere loopholes of escape, and evidently go to confirm the truths I maintain. Speak thus: This is the meaning of the passage, and it cannot be understood otherwise. You will thus keep to one simple and uniform sense of Scripture, as I always do, and always have done. This way of proceeding is to bc a divine, the former a sophist. For you know in every

It is truly marvellous how the truth of the Word of God is being vindicated by modern discovery against the attacks made upon it by interested critics. Few more exciting stories have ever been told than that which was narrated last week at the annual ltbe Stones meeting of the Palestine Explora:J8ear'WUtness. tion Fund. At the very time when the earlier parts of the Old Testament were being dismissed with contempt as "unh istoric." the spades of excavators were busy disinterring long-buried Canaanitish cities, with the result that "high places" of idolatry have been brought to light containing remains of human sacrifices offered to heathen c1eities. Thus the abominations of the Ammonites are actually exposed to our gaze. Even more interesting is the discovery of the form of the ancient Philistine temples. Men who have made sport of the story of Samson pulling down the pillars of the temple upon the heads of his enemies, become, in turn, the objects of derision, as it is now clearly shown what the "pillars" were, and how easily a strong man could have displaced them to the undoing both of himself and his foes. In the light of these expert discoveries, believers have no need to apologise for their Bible; rather, they ought to expect an apology from those who have relied upon imagination rather than sound fact.-The Ohristian. .

eue lRew 1l)ubUcatfon.

MANY of our friends have from time to time inquired for an exposition, in tract form, of the story of The Rich Man and Lazarus. The Book Steward has now much pleasure in informing readers of the STANDARDthat such a tract is now issued by the N.Z. Evangelistic .&SROciation. Hitherto it has been painful to read some of the so-called interpretations of this parable; but the one under notice is most certainly in harmony with all Bible teaching on man's nature and coming judgment. The Book Steward commends it to Bible readers and anv who have been deceived into believing that our Lord taught the God-dishonouring doctrine of eternal torture. The price is 2c1., OT 1s. 9c1.per dozen, post free.

I suppose that every parent loves his child; but I know without any supposing that in a large number of homes the love is hidden behind authority, or its expression is crowded out by daily duties and cares.-A .. E. Kiitredqe.

THE
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SEPTEUBF.R,

1907.

j~--"-OrrmOndtnCt.-..
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(To the Editor.) D8"n RnoTT-TBn.-In the paper given in the July "DAnD bv 0111'esteemed Brother Brown 1 notice the following :-"'1'11c ]108itio11of the ancient sa ints in iho tcrna 1 agek will not be that of those who belong to the organisation which is called the bodv of: our Lord. T'hc formation of that bodv began after Pentecost. and enels at the Second Advent." It is affirmed, savs the writer, that inasmuch as the Church was not 'in existence before 17,(, (lay of Peniecosi, the Old Testament saints are not included within its borders. H this is so, what position will the disciples he in who were called out bv, and followcd, Christ for oyer six years before Pentecost, i.e., before the Church, the Bcdv of our Lorel. was formed? Also, the position of all the other disciples, which numbored 120 altogether? Will they hold a less honoured position in the coming age to those three thousand whom thev preached to, and who, Peter said, had crucified Christ? The word said there WE're "added io them :l,(i()() souls." Added to whom , or to what? 'T'herc must have been an Assembly, a called-out Body, a ('11111'('11 existence, or the three thousand C0111(lnot h vc in hor-n nr1(1('(1 them. to In the -I:"I'thverse of Acts ii. it i,; sa id [hat the T,01'(l added to the Ch111'('h dailv. 'I'his is the firat time the Church is mentioned in this chapter. 1 understand it that the 3,000 were through Christ added to the 120, who, with all who believed in and confessed Christ as TJoro, were His called-out ones, His Body, His Church; and through faith in Him the Lord added to the Church dailv. If this is not so, T would like an explanation gi yen to this very important matter. P.S.-What position will John, the one who came to l)l'('pare the wav of the Lord, hold-he who saiel, "Behold the La mh of God. who taketh awav the sin of the worlel," and thus confessed and believed, hut was beheaded before Pentecost ?-T am, ctc., G. TJAWRENCE.
~TA

TrEJOIND"nm. By favour of the "Fjclitor, we are able to append a replv to the above letter. The question our respected Brother Lawrence raises is: "If the organisation called the Ch urch was not constituted till the day of Pentecost, and the saints before that day are not included in its number, what is the position of the Apostles and the early disciples who followed and believed in Christ during His lifetime?" The Apostles and the early prophets of the Church (Acts xiii, 1, xix. 6, xxi. 10; 1 Cor. xii. 28), who were a11 in various stages of manhood during the three and a-ha 1 years of Christ's ministrv, are spoken of as the foundation stones (Eph. ii. 20), and therefore undoubtcdlv arc part and parcel of the Christian community.

The 120 disciples of Christ who met in the upper chamber after the resurrection were "all together in one place" (Acts ii. 1) on the day 0 r Pentecost, and "were all fined with the Holy Spirit" (verse -1:)"baptized with the Holy Spirit into one body" (1 Cor. xii. 13), and so formed the nucleus of the Christian Church. And it was to this congregation of 120 that the 3,000 convcrts (all Hebrews. manv of: whom must have seen and heard Jesus in ,J erusa km and elsewhere) were joined on the memorable (lay, thus making an occlesia, or Church, of :},120 mcmbcrs ; and to those were "a(lclecl dailv tho: who were being sa vcd" (Acts ii. 47). IVe may j ustifiablv believe that those who were true disciples of Christ before His death "'011ld in process 0 f time join themselves to the Apostles and their band of followers, and, receiving the baptism of the Spirit and water, become members of the Christian Church. (For the nccessitv of the baptism of the Spirit as a preli minary to join ing the Church, see Acts ii. 38, Y. 32, viii. U-17, ix. 11, x, -1-1---:1:8,also .Iohn vii. 39.)As to the position of John the as Baptist, it is enough to quote our Lord's words: "Among them that are born ()C women there is none greater than .Iohn ; yet he that is but little in the Kingdom of Clod i" greater than he" (Luke vii. 28). J do not cite this paRsage as asserting that the Kingdom of Goeli;; the Church, but to show that it is possible for the lcast jn the coming dispensation to be greater than John in the old dispensation, wh ich wou 1(1he impossible if John and cverv other saint belong alike to one community, i.e., the Church of Christ. and are to share hereafter in one (JCRtinv, which is to reign with Christ in the hoavenlv places. I may add that the root and spring of OUl' belief in the distinction between the ancient saint~-Go(l's people of Israel and any Gentiles who cla ve to them, and Christ's body the Church-in which i~ neither Jew nor Gcntile, is our acceptance of the Scriptural doctrine of "the dispensations." ( See page 104.) Where this is not recognised it follows as matter of course that from Adam to the enel of time all saints stand upon one footing. all belong to the Church militant, and after death join the Church triumphant. But not RO do we read the Scriptures. C. CRIST' BROVVN. Rotorua.

...

"The track in the sand, or the imprint in the rock, is proof of the creature that made it. 'I'he world itself, and the stars that light it, are witnesses to Him who made them." 'I'he world owes no man a living, but every man owes the world a service. Opportunities for the lull exercise of gifts and powers, physical, mental and spiritual, are given, and he who uses them rightly and fully will get out of them what will supply his varied needs and benefit others. God commands us to work in the ways which He indicates in His providence, and he who does as the Lord thus directs will be blessed in basket and in store, and Ieave a blessing along his pathway.-SeZ.

SEPTEMBER,

1907.

THE

BIBLE

STANDARD.

lbebrew 1lleage.
UEN. xli, 13 is of the utmost importance as introducing to us a Hebrew usage. A Hebrew messenger is said lo do in Ius own person that which his message foretells, or that which he annonnces as about to be done by God (Ezck. xliii. 3 and margin). J oseph is said to hang the baker, which is not the fact. It is in total ignorance of this usage that the Lord Jesus Christ's commission to all the mem bel's of His Church (J ohn xx, 19-23) has been wrested to mean that some have power, which they say others have not. to remit sins. The commission is entirely Hebrew (compare Jer. i. 9, 10), and the Christian minister or disciple so corn missionedvis sa:id to remit sins because his messaqe, applied by God the Holy Spirit to the repentant, penitent, and believing heart, is of power to remit sinst Hom. i. 16-"it [the message] is the power of Uod"). 'I'hus, as .Joscph is said to hang the baker, so the preacher of the glorious Gospel of the Blessed God is said to remit, forgive, or retain sins. Conseq ucntly, no man is a safe expositor of the Greek XCII' Testament, or of a translation, until he can re cognise that the spirit of the Old 'I'cstament language breathes throughout that of the New.e=From Hebrew Himptified, b!) the Rer. J. O. Wilco.1:.

lDcrepa ring 'Umar.

professors of Christianity are familiar with the beautiful figure-used also by pagan poets of antiquity -in which the prophets of Israel describe the peaceful effects of the :Messiah's rnle over the nations: "Tlun] sliall beat ilieir swords into plouqhetiares and their SllCW'S into pruning hooks,' nation shall not lift up ::;\\'01'<1 against nation, neither shall they learn war an.)' more" (ha. ii. -+; Micah iv. :~). Or, as itis sweetly paraphrased in the Iines familiar to Scottish cars :~[OST

";f 0 strife shall rage, nor hostile fends

Disturb those peaceful ycars ; To ploughshares men shall heat their swords, '1'0 pruning hooks their spears.

x 0 longer

hosts eneount'ring hosts Shall crowds of slain deplore: Thc:\' hang the trumpet in tho hall. .vnd study war no more."

"J-J' will not last long. 'lour dav, m v day. the world's dav, the day of opportunity. the cia)" of grace, the dav of salvation-c-all days arc s\\'iftJy passing away; and the great dav, the last dav, will surely and speedily come." So speaks a wise man. He speaks well. crime is short. Our \raking hours arc soon over. The cradle and death chair 0 [ Frodcrick the Great in the Hohcnzollcrn museum arc placed side by side. With all of us they stand near together. The time allotted us to do OUl' work for God will soon have emptied itself into the ocean of ctcr11 itv. ,Vc must seize the present opportunities. Their neglect can never be repaired. We ha re our work to do. Wc have a daily work. It is more important than we know. Let us be up and doing. Remember what Jesus said: "I must do the work of Him 'Yho sent "JIe\\'hiJe it js dav; for, behold, the night cometh, when no man can work." Only one conscious of this necessity will be able to Se1\', when the sun is setting, "1 have glorified Thee on the earth. I have finished the work which Thou gayest me to do."-Sel.

,. Evcrv beautiful and pleasing thing in the past, prc:sent and future of life, is expressed in the one word 10\'e. Inspiration has well declared that he who dwells surrounded by it, as by the walls of a house, Jives in God and God in him, for God Himsel f is lore. This accounts for all the Satanic attacks on love here, and its conflicts, misgivings, hopes, and fears. Satan knows that love, as the cm brvo of every tender virtue and pleasing grace, III ust be destroyed ere he succeeds."

But how lllany of these same professing Christians are aware of the fact that another prophet, bv reversing lhc figure thus employed, has foretold an era of an opposite kind, which will precede that j ranquil time, and be ,;upel'.cdcd hv it? "Proclaim ye th is among the Gentiles," Se1\'S ,Jo(-'1 (chap. iii. 9-15), "Prepare war; wake up the migh ly men; let all the men of war draw near; let them corne liP: beat your plouqlish ares into suiords and ?Jon)' pr unuu] 71007.-s into spears," etc. ] t is the battle of the great day of God which the prophet secs, when all the Gentile nations are assembled against J crusalcm in "the valley of decision," 01' "threshing." The harvest of human wickedness ii:iripe-lIl(j vintage, whose gathering will be with bloodshed (verse 13; compare Hev. xiv. H-J n; x ix. Hi). The banded Iocs of: U od and His people will first be judged from on high amid torrible outpourings of: Divine wrath; and afterurard (J oel iii. 16-21) shall J udah and Jerusalem iJecome a centre of holiness and peace. Were I asked to say what in our time is the most significant sign of the approach of the world's crisis, l would instance two things: (1) 'I'he marvellous development of the Jewish question. and (2) the rapid and appalling gro\\'ih of armaments, which long since became almost too great [or nationa 1 end nrance, and yet arc ever on the increase. Even 25 years ago, when lh is development was 1':11 below iis present figure, the racts of the case were :;() appalling that the press of Europe discussed them with pcrplexi ty, and leading statesmen of every party and nation turned their attention to the question-Where is it all to end? Some tried to view it as .a guarantee of pcace ; Rome hoped against hope that mutual disarmament will one of these days he resorted to, to relieve the intolerable strain on national industry and rosourccs ; others, as the late Count von Moltke, sadly declared that

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1907.

an appetite which grew with feeding, the appetite which craves 10r larger war budgets and greater armies is such an one. Kings and Emperors, and their Ministors of State, and the leaders of militant democracies, seem absolutely blind to the manifest fact that l!}uropean commonwealths run in harness. With each fraction 01 accelerated speed in one, all the rest, perforce, quicken their pace." How true this is let the more recent history of Europe tell. 'rake one feature alone which, rightly or wrongly, causes increasing uneasiness in this country. Germany, uuder the unresting instigation of her present monarch, is yearly straining every nerve to build a fleet which shall give her a commanding position on the ocean never yet held by that nation. And the onlookers say among themMany of the comments of the 'I'inies, in discussing the selves, "Uerlllany does not need this for defence ; thereproblem in 1880, are worth reproducing, as showing how lore she means olIence;" and straightway the deadly commuch more fully the problem is with the world now. petition is increased in costliness and feverishness. Speaking of the gigantic expenditure of the leading \Vhat need to dwell on more details r Is it not apEuropean nations in 1879, it wrote: "Germany spent, in parent that in our time one of the principal, if not the 1865, ten millions on its army and navy, now it spends leading, business of "civilised" mankind is to make twenty-one millions; Russia spent twenty-two, now it deadly preparation, at all cost, to slay his neighbour? spends thirty-six; England and France spent respectively Even sea-gut Britain is overhauling her military artwenty-seven and seventeen millions, now they spend rangements from top to bottom amid sinister mutterings thirty-two and twenty-seven." of the word "conscription." What can the end of such According to these figures, in 1879 [our leading powers things be? What but that indicated by the prophet J ocl ? spent in these terrible warlike preparations a total of Already we seem to hear the proclamation to the Gentiles C11G,OOO,OOO, being as much as was spent annually in which he utters for the final conflict : "Prepare war, wake L865 by the whole of Europe. Twenty-five years more up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near" have passed, and how does the case now stand? The press (Joe1 iii. 9). Nay, the fever has now spread beyond the the other day gave figures showing that five of these same "Ohristian" powers. Fascinated by the Iriumphs of powers (including Britain, France and Germany) now Japan, Ohina, sleepy Ohina, has begun to study war in spend every year a total of 250,000,000. This, let it be right earnest. Of 1,100 European books and pamphlets remembered, is the annual outlay in times of peace, and reprinted in Ohinese in one year since Japan's success, does not include such colossal extra expenses as Britain, about one-half dealt with military or strategical science. for example, spent in onc protracted struggle in South This is quite a new move among the Chinese, and it is Africa, And who can tell the amount of treasure not only beginning. We read, at the same time, of the folto say lives, which Russia has more recently squandered, lowing practical 'outcome :-"~trenuous efforts are being at the bidding of unbridled folly and ambition, in a futile made to bring the Ohinese military forces into a state of contest with Japan? 'We may, roughly speaking, sav efficiency with the aid of Japanese instructors. 'I'he that the annual outlay of the civilised world on military important military manceuvres which have recently taken and naval preparations has doubled in the twenty-fivo years since 1880, awful as was the figure even then. place in North Ohina have called special attention to Of the causes for this ever-increasing preparation for this. On this occasion some 50,000 men, men trained war, what the Times wrote in 1880 is not a whit less in modern warfare, engaged in manceuvres which have true nOIL "The sole cause of the nightmare which if' come as an astonishment even to those who were best riding Europe down is that each nation is strivinzb to acquainted with the changes. The editor of the Ohina steal a march upon its neighbour, before its neighbour's Times speaks of the change manifested as amounting to open eyes." At that time France had thoroughly overthe sensational."("Oh'ina' s Millions," January, 1906.; '" hauled her army and put it on a stronger fooling. GerDoes this not ominously remind us of J oel's words: lIlany at onec took fright, thinking the ono aim of France "Wake up the mighty men let the ureal: say, '1 am strong?' " to be revenge for the crushing defeat of ten years before. Military statisticians demonstrated that France and Let us return for a moment to the Times of 1880. Of R ussia together could far outnn mber the hugc Gcrrnan the evil results, industrially and socially, of all this to anny of: two and a-half millions. Hence Germany ai the nations of Eluopc,it wrote as follows, words more once proceeded to "add some scores of thousands of ruon pitifully true now of' the state of: Hussia before our eyes to its regiments, and 850,000 to its mil itarv budzet." ill-i,; i i rv renuwu ill is "011Then, of course, it was the turn of France anci Russia to ii rrued by th uvwly-u ppoi nted (;I,inc,;p Ambassador to this do likewise. For, as said the Times, "If ever there was it will take centuries of further experience and enlightenment before the nations will learn to view even successful wars as great calamities; but all alike had to deplore that the madness grows apace, and that a state of armed peace, such as then prevailed, was little better than actual war. 'I'he T'uue devoted several articles to the discussion of the matter. It gave figures, showing that in 1865 the total annual military expenses of the States of Europe were 117 millions; in 1879 they had risen to 160 millions. Jational debts increased in the same period from 2,626,000,000 to 4,324,000,000. Thus, "in these last Iourteen or fifteen years the world had been galloping in lho accumulation of armies and the creation of gigantic national debts."
"The ura in fad of m l tu l Chi nu

couutry,

in

,L

recent

interview

with

Reutcrs

representative.

SEPTEMBER,

i90t.

THE

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than ever before: "To talk of standing armies as a protection at all seems a bitter jest in view of a social condition such as a wide expanse of the European continent now exhibits. There is Russia with a military budget of 36 millions and a state of stolid ignorance, incendiary recklessness, and material poverty which Russian censorship itself cannot restrain the Russian press from deploring. Preparations for a fictitious mission abroad starve energies which might wrestle with the misery of scores of millions at home. N ever was there in the history of mankind so monstrous an example of reaching after the unknown and neglecting the known." Of Germany, also, it wrote, words doubtless still in a measure true: "The peasant cannot raise himself above the earth. Germans whose birthright entitles them to make the attempt, have been taught that their first obligation is not to their labourers and farmers, but to the drill sergeant." What a terrible satire is all this on the opinion, held, it is true, by many worthy and good people, that the kingdom of the Prince of Peace has been set up in the world, and is being "extended" by every increase to the bounds of professing Christendom! Here is "Christian" ( !) Europe, where---if anywhere in the world-the authority of the Christ is acknowledged, perverting every gift of heaven, its finest intellectual powers, its sturdiest physical strength, its richest natural resources, to the ghastliest ends, to the perfecting-not of the arts of peace, but of the most effective weapons of mutual havoc and butchery! Will such things be possible beneath the rule of Heaven's Righteous King, under .which, we read: "They [the nations J shall not learn war any mote?" No, no! If any prophecy has a place in these affairs, it is that of Joel, and not Micah, which is fulfilling before our eyes. "Prepare war," says the prophet; rind, as if in direct answer to his call, the statesmen of modern Europe openly tell us they arc acting on the advice of the wise Roman maxim, "si 'vis pacem, para be1l1Lm""if you desire peace, prepare war." "The vine of the earth" is quickly ripening. How soon the cry may go forth, "Put ye in the sickle," it is not for us to say. But let us endeavour to perfect holiness in the fear of God, and be prepared for troublous times; for a well-established peace will not be had till God's judgments have fallen upon the pride of human armaments, as announced in Psalms xl vi. and lxxvi, and other Scriptures. Trust not to political writers or speakers of any school or party for guidance in these things. They do not make allowance for "the prophetic word" in all their calculations; nor does it enter into their thought that God Himself will interfere, in His appointed time and way, to settle their perplexing problems. All that the Times could venture to say in 1880, after lengthy consideration of the question, was this: "We must apparently look forward to an indefinite period of anxiety and suspense;" and that "to expect that man-

kind will ever dispense with all species of military apparatus is to anticipate what is as little desirable as it is possible:" There spoke the world's unbelief, ignoring and gainsaying the inspired words both of Joel a:n:dof Micah and Isaiah. But those who will allow themselves humbly to be instructed by the Word of God, can foresee both the dreadful culmination to which all this human frenzy tends, and also the blessed dawn of a happier era just beyond. "Having, therefore, more sure the prophetic word, let us take heed thereto in our hearts (as unto a lamp shining in a dark place) until the Day dawn and the Day star arise." lVI. 'N. S'l'RANG. Bearsden, Scotland.

EuUI) 1bigber.
"Set yOUl' affection on the things that are above, not on the things that arc upon the earth."-Col. iii. 1,2. "The fault is in the chimney," said the expert who had come to see what was wrong with the kitchen range. "A stove has, of course, no draught in itself; it is only its connection with the flue that makes the fire bum, and the higher the chimney the stronger the draught. At shops and foundries, where fierce fires are needed, they run their stacks up to a great height. Y our stove clogs, chokes, and smokes because your chimney is too low. You must build higher." His word reminded us of other fires that burn low and choke too easily; 'Of love and aspiration, so often clogged by life's daily worry and fret; of faith that only smoulders instead of flaming bright and bearing away the petty troubles and worries which seek to smoulder it; of hearts and lives that grow cold and dull because their up-reach is not high enough. 'I'he upward drawing is not strong enough to give vigour to the flame and to whirl away the refuse. We must build higher.Wellspring.

"There is no reason to think that the judgment will accept a correct philosophy in lieu of a right practice." No duty, however hard and perilous, should be feared one-half so much as failure in duty. People sometimes shrink from responsibility, saying they dare not accept it because it is so great; but in shrinking from duty they are really encountering a far more serious condition than that which they evade. It is a great deal easier to do that which God gives us to do, no matter how hard it is, than to face the responsibility of not doing it. We have abundant assurance that we shall receive all the strength we need to perform any duty God allots to us, but if we fall out of line of obedience and refuse to do anything which we ought to do, we find ourselves at once out of harmony with God's law and God's providence, and we cannot escape the consequences of OUl' failure.-J. R. Miller.

THE
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190 I .

OF CONTENTS.
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.. .. 1:l9-131 OUR l\EW PUBLICA'l'ION 131 UORRESPO~DE~CE 13~ HEBREW USAGE 133 'rO-DAY'S DUTY .. 133 PREPARING \VAR .. ..133-135 ASSOCIATION NOTES . .. .. .. 136 'l'l.'Il~ MOSAIC ACCOUNT 01" TIll< UUIJ;ATION .. l37-138 MISCI<Ll~i\NI<OUS .. .. .. .. .... 130, U3 THE HOMJ CUtCLK-TALl\:S ON ETEHNAL LUi'E .. H.O LE'I'1'I<RS '1'0 A YOUNG FRIEND ON THE STUDY 01" PHOPIJECY 1U-Hi CHURCH AND MISSION Nxw s . U2 CllHlS'l'IAN BAND .. .. . .. H~-U3 POJN'l'S !:I'ORYOUNG PAHSONS .. UJ THEA8UHER'S ACKNOWLEDG}:'~l\lI~NTS.. llJ

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'-<.)JpMONTHTL Y ORGAN
0" THE

ntw

Zt~land EI,1~ngdistic and Public~tlon }lss"clatlon.

EDITED ASSISTED BY GEORGE BY SPECIAL ALDRIDGE. CONTRIBUTIONS,

The Editor wishes it to be understood that, while he exerciaes n ;~.;tieral npere viaion over the articles and Correspondence appear-ing in the ST.lNU.LltO, respouaibil.ity for sentiments expressed rests upon the individual writer.

asscctanon

1I~ote5.

indicates what the nature of the doom will be that is to be passed upon those who have refused salvation on God's terms. Incidentally, he examines certain passages popularly supposed to uphold the current vicw. This tract may be had from the Faith Press Co., Colston IV orks, Malvern Link, price twopence. Prom the office of the Ceflon. J!]uangel'iljt, Colombo, wc have received for review a copy o l a work by Wells Jau, entitled "The Metropolitan of J ndia and ilis Baseless Dogmas." 'I'he work ill a critique of a charge delivered by Dr. Coplcston (Metropolitan of India}, which was specially intended to serve as a guide to the clergy "who may be called upon to deal with difficulties or errors in rezard to the immortality of the human soul and the continuance of the eternal punishment of the wicked." :\11'. Wells Jam 10110wsthe charge with the ability 01 H close student of Scripture, and conclusi vcly shows that the "Metropolitau of India" is au unsa.Ie guide in Bible excacsis. 'I'he book contains a tuass or information Oil the b question of man's nature, and would be useful Ior those who are beginncrs in the study or this great subject. Appendices contain a list of Scripture texts referred to, and another of authors, books and magazines quoted. 'I'ho book contains 256 pp., and is published in paper covers at three shillings. It cun be had from the author, Scriptural Publication Society, Colombo. 11', after a visit from our colporteur, any friend in the country should receive a copy of the S'l'AXDAUJ) y post, b it will be understood that it is not sent Irom the Association, but is forwarded gratis by a friend. \\"o beg to acknowledge receipt of 7s. Gd. Irom A.A. for the Edgehill Fund. Wc arc in receipt of' Cl long letter from a correspondent who signs himscl ["Truth." As u rule we do not print letters unless the writer puts his name to his communication. 'In this instance, we have to add that the letter is obscure, and no apparent good purpose would be served by its publication. 'I'hcrc arc some statements of obvious truths, and there arc others which show that the writer has yet to learn the full ignifieanee of his contcntion for a literal reading of the Word. Onc passage in the letter reads: "All article in the STANDARDon the subject o l Anti-Christ is,in my humble opinion, only a waste time in tn'ing to fathom what is unsolvable. Lnther, the undaunted hero, hurled upon the then reigning Pope the title of .xnti-Ohrist, and Paul's description of the saruo points to the pernicious Pope." On this wc remark that this is a Bible theme, and occupies in that Book a position of importance. J t is therefore opcn to investigation. That any should judge such i11vcstigation Cl "waste of ti mc" does not alter the fact that the subject is important. Hut ovidcntlv this writer is prepared to accept Luthcr's opinion HS il;ll'ing solved the prohlom, and nnv finding which do('~ not ;lgTCCwith that i~ "waste 0 r +irnc." 'rh i;; is a (1ictum \1'(' (10 not accept, for, with Lu th Cl', webel icve that II'C must accept what the ~criptllrc says, and the Papal thcorv, even though supported bv great names, is inference 011 lv.

"JDdlOC::; rom West Street" arc omitted this month, I in order to allow 01 the appearance of matter which has been standing in type for some time. The )[id-wintcr Social 01 the Association was held on the evening 01 Wednesday, August 14. The Committee appointed to arrangc for this worked energetically, and their labours led to the enjoymont of a vcry pleasant evening. The auditorium \\'CUi made to look as attractive as possible. Tables were placed for books, pictures, and table-games. Flags were tastefully hung about the building, making it look quite gay with colour. A short musical programme was provided, and then Bro. J enkins was invited to give a brief account of his recent experiences in his country work. This was listened to with interest and satisfaction, as it show cd that the efforts recently made to put our mcssage before the people have met with a gratifying success. At nine o'clock refreshments were handed round, and those who were assem bled had the opportunity of conversation with each other. At ten o'clock the President announced the close of the meeting, and all present joined in singing "Blest Be tile Tic That Binds." We separated Iccling that the evening had not onlv been pleasantly spent, hut that we had derived present good, and no little encouragcllll'nt to pursuc our labours for the further spread of the truths \\'C' love. No. 123 of the F'aiilt L-ibm1'!I is to 11an(1. It is devoted to the serious i nquiry as to what constitutes "T'hc Loss of the Soul." 'I'hc writer presents evidence to show that "the soul cannot be regarded a" a separate entity, or <11:; constituting the real and independent man," and then proceeds to show that the Scripture clearly enough

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SF:P'1'E~JBEll, Itl07.

THE

BIBLE

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137

~be [JJ)oeate Recount of tbe crcatton.

(Continued Iroiu Page u;q \rE have al rcady considered the orisrin and commencemcnt of the heaven and the earth. ' Out 01 nothing-suntold age::>ago-they were created UI' the Omnipotent Uod. We .have marked the oyerthrol;' of the earth by water and its reduction to a state or chaos and darkness. \re Hall', also, that the ~pirit 01 God was "movirur.' and that active operations of importance eridentl;' were impending. Anc1 this brings us to tile commencement of "the six days in which tile Lord iuude heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them i .." , Let us pause here a moment to note 11011' carefully :::lcr.lpture speaks. The Bible never sajs that God created heaven and earth in six (lays, and it does not ::;ay that God made theworld ill tile beginning. There is a Jllark?d clill'crcncc. The word "create," in its primary Illeanmg, means to make without any pro-existent materials. (All th ings were brought into beinz by Llim ; thev began-or, rather, "were caused to be"~bv 11i Ill.) 1\ ot that the word alwavs means created out nothing. It is the word for this, but not for this only. Tile word has a sceondarv meaning. ] lence it is appli~d to the filth day's work. the first production of animal life for the Adam ic world (verse 21), and still more emphatically to the latest task of the sixth day (verse 27), when Uod brought into existence the lIla~ Adarn, who was to have dominion over all. \\'Iwre it is said He created the sea-animals and man it i,.; evident that in neither case does it mean without pro-existent materials [or out of the water and out of tile earth were these created. :'..8 matter of fact, there arc four Hebrew words used in (iencsi~ i. and ii. by which is expressed the creative work of God, viz., bara, i, 1 (create); asah, 7,10,23, etc. (makc) ; .'"'lbmr,ii. ID (form); banah, ii. 22 (huild). in Isaiah xl ii i. 7 three of these verbs occur together, "I hnvc created h iiu I'ur IlIVgloJ.'\', 1 have [oruied hi 111, vca, l have uuulc him." \Vc repeat-s-when Uod eXI)['e::iiOe,; fir~t ol'i~'iIlHtion o l till' Universe lie till' speaks or it at! created, lI~illg the word in the vcrv es-cncc of' its mcaniug~ : hut, or the constitutina'b of the earth as an abode for 1I1,11l,t i,.; :;aid-in i the words of: the lourtf commandment=-vthat in six <lavs the Lord made heaven and. earth." The 1\'0 I'lI "llla~le" has not such nobility of meaning a,.; the word "created" in its higheRt and fullest sense. ,rhat are we to understand bv the period called "six rlavs" during which the Almightv . Cod cnlizhtened the 'u clarkncss, opened an expanse between the waters above and below, can sed the drv land to appear, substituted order Ior chaos, and endowed the earth with life ? 'I'here arc those' who sav that these clays mean vast geological poriorls, ";0 that six "ages," rather than six "days," would he a truermeaning of the inspired writer. Undoubtedlv day urav Iw used, a:; it often I:;, in a figurative sense. Bu't llO solid reason whatever appears why it should be so used here. 'I'here is not the slightest nccessitv -[01' it.

~f

'I'he vast geologi(;al' period", during which a long series o l successive Iurrns 01 li.lc whosc appeanlll(;e::; and disappearances have taken place at intervals during an uumensc lapse 01 ages, conic in between verses ouc and two 01 this first chapter of Genesis, and thus the claims of tile geologists in connection with Iossi liscd reuiains and disturbed strata of the earth arc Iullv met. The truth is that geologists, failing to recognise the iuuucnsc intcrva I 0[ ti me stretching between the crca tion and the re-construction of the earth, impressed upon theologians tile impossibility of six literal (lays bcinsr the time . 0 during which the earth internally could become sueh as we know it to be. The coal bec1s, the IIIines of diamonds, the gold fields, the mineral wealth - these were not formed in Cl day! And the vast upheavals, the general disorder manifest beneath, as upon the earth's surfucc-> all so tossed and tumbled-and the giganLic Iossils of Jar-gone age:;, demand more than Cl six days' creation at a date of about 6000 yeal's ago. And so tile theologian, through a wrong apprehension 01' tile opening verses 01 Genesis, and bowing to the facts of geology, winch no sane man will gainsay, agreed that the six days of Genesis must necessarily be six periods of indefinite duration. But if the req uiremcnts 0 f science are Iully met by the Mosaic assertion that it was "in the beginning" Goel created the earth, anc1 that 6000 ~ vcars azo . _ 0 It was merely the re-arranging aml refurnishing the surface of an earth (that had gone through convulsions ur Lire and water) that exercised .thc .\llIlighLy power, then there is 110 reason to be urged <lgainst the belief that in six literal days the work W<\iO accomplished. 1::l0 Iar <Hi God'8 p()II'er is concerned, 11 c can as readily work His purpo:oe in 2':1 ours as in 2'J,Olll) vcurs, He has but h to speak, and it is done. 1::leean illustration of this in the cures which Christ wrought. Ph vsicians need time in which to cure patients, Christ spake the word, and .. immediately the man was made whole." Let the Bible speak Ior itscl r. It was the even iIW <111(1 morninsr/:) the Cl -, that then constituted the "dav," Il'hi('il l~ tile same mode o I measurement as is in vogue 11011', i.e .. 12 hours. And if the seventh day which J ohovah hallowed 11'<11:; a 12-11OUI' da v (John xi, ~)) it follows as matter of course that the prt-vio ns six days must have been of' the same climensions. So long a,.; the fourth conunaud shall stand in tile Dccalogue, it is irn possi hie that the "six days of creation," with their evenings and mornings, can mean anything but literal periocls of twelve hours. \rhen God commenced His six dell'S' work there was no earth that could be seen by any passing angelic eye. S' othing but a mass of vaporous waters indicated the whereabouts of the rolling globe. What stupendous power must have been put forth in order to fit a waterloggecl earth for habitation by air-breathing creatures! And it was the exercise 0 f this power that constituted the six days' work. A ::;mnIlHl.l'} of this marvellous working is as follows: (1) Light tlppears; (2) a firmament is formed; (3) earth and sea arc separated, and grass, herbs and trees spring forth; (LJ) appointment of

THE

BIBLE

STANDARD.

SEPTEMBER,

1907.

bUD, moon and stars; (5) fish and fowl are generated from LIlO waters; (G) beasts and man arc formed from the d ust.

First Dc~y.-"Al1ll God said, Let there be light: and there was light." 'I'his is most remarkable. M:osesuninapirod-c-woulrl never have written such a statement. He would never have introduced the mention or lizht b apart from and before all distinct notice or the heavenlv orbs. Sun, moon and stars would most certainly hav~ been first introduced. 'I'he Spirit or God acted otherwise, and revealed to His servant a truth, which, unrevealed, could never have been discovered , a truth , moreover, which is scouted by many as being absurd, or worse. There are two views that can be taken of this passage. One is that this primeval light was quite unconnected with the sun, that light was formed before the sun and other luminous bodies-a light which was caused by vibration, produced by undulations or ether, fluid rays or light flashing through the darkness by the creative fiat of God, and not proceeding from any fountain or light, such as is our sun. There is no mention or any material thing being made which would produce light. The other view is that the creation or the sun and the celestial luminaries is related in verse 1, where under the word "heaven" is to be comprehended the whole visible celestial uni verse of sun, moon and stars. If so, seeing that the light or our system is the sun, the creation or that sun was ages before the period of these six days. In this case the thick darkness was paTtially dispelled by the word or Goel, and the light separated from the darkness, so that the regular succession or day and night was established; but, in consequence or a still clouded atmosphere, there was no visible appearance or the sun till the fourth day. This second view seems the more feasible and probable. We next read that "God divided the light from the darkness." He set bounds to both or them, calling thc light Yom (day) and the darkness Lahyelah (night). 'I'hese names were not given at haphazard, but because they were appropriate. Yam. in its root idea, means commotion, or those noises in the air which arise from the bustle and operations 0 r the day; and thus it is applied to the time of work, 01' activity. Yam (the sea) comes from the same root, and the sea is so called because it is always in commotion. Lahyelah is from the unused root, lahel, the idea of which is to deviate; and lahrfelah. means that which is different from the clay-a period in which there WOL1kl be no bustle of work, but rest and repose. How significant are both names-day for work, night for repose l Thus these names taught the Hebrews the duty of labouring by day as Elohim (God) did, and of suspending work when darkness came, as also Elohim did, the latter as much a duty as the ronnel'. This alternation of day and night together make a period of twenty-four hours. It is evident, then, that this fifth verse of Genesis refers to a literal day and a literal night of twelve hours each, and not to an indefinite geologioal period. And so with each of the six days.

Second Day.-"And God said, Let there be a flruiaincnt in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God called the firmament Heaven." This is the first step towards the resurrection of the earth from its watery grave. The clouds and mists that during the period of the earth's desolation and darkness had been one with the waters of the allembracing ocean were raised up, and a space placed between them. The Hebrew word rakia, translated "firmament," signifies an expansion, a spreading out like a sheet spread, or a curtain drawn out. This space which divides the waters which are above from those which are beneath constitutes our atmosphere, and is called Heaven. Hence we speak of the birds of heaven, the clouds of heaven, the heaven being darkened, etc. But here is a difficulty that meets us: In the first verse we read or the creation of heaven, and here we are told of heaven again. Is not this a contradiction? By no means; only another heaven-that is all. Man was about to be made. 'I'he circumambient atmosphere extending upwards was essential, not only to man's existence, but to vegetable life, to the due activities of light and heat, as well as to all forms of animated existence. Paul says he was caught up to the th'iTd heaven. We can easily understand that at the beginning God made two heavens (the Hebrew word for heaven is always in the plural), and that in this case He made the lowest one. 'I'here is the heaven or God's presence, where the angels arc; the heaven of the stars, planets and other astronomical objects; and the atmospheric heaven necessary for man and living things here below. Tliirtl Day.-"And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear. And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together or the water called He Seas." 'I'he re-appearance of the earth after its long submersion, and "the closing up with doors the sea" (J ob xxxviii. 8) was the first work of the third day. "The sea is His, and He made it; and His hands formed the dry land" CP,;. xcv. 5). 'I'his was followed by a second act of Divine power. The earth, which for so long was "void and waste," was now to produce maintenance and support for the living creatures which God would make. In obedience to His command, "the earth brought forth grass, herb yielding seed after its kind, and tree bearing fruit after its kind" -all three so ordained that their seed should be in themselves, thus possessing a power of fertility whereby the race of man and the lower animals should be perpetuated from generation to generation. At last the earth is freed from its bondage, and fitted once again to become the home of the living creatures who almost directly shall appear. (To be Continued.) Rotorua. C. CRISP BROWN.

"N 0 really true heart ever ceased to 10 ve till it ceased to live."

SEPTEMBER,

1901.

THE
1!be Jo}]ful

BIBLE

STANDARD.

I39

arre.

"Restore unto me the joy of Thy sal vation ; and uphold me with Thy free SpiriL"-l'o;Cl. 11. 12. S_I.LVA'l'lON without a joy in it it> as useless as a bell without a tongue in it. 1 all the bells 01' a town should suddenly lose their tongues the people would wonder what in the world the matter was-if they had not made u mistake in tile calendar, especially i E it was Sunday. But their wonderment would be perhaps no more intense than that of their own minister is at their church when prayer-meeting night comes around. J t is his business to visit the sick, the dying, and to officiate over the dead, but he should have Clhelpful change once -in a while. He should have a study, but his people should not be his study; they should be his help and inspiration. 'I'here is Cl city to which wc arc all hastening, where the lots are small and the tenements, with marble Blabs at the front, arc vcr} near each other ; yet the tenants never speak, nor make any noise. That city is not the N ell' Jerusalem, nOT the old one, for even the latter had its hosannas to the Highest-that city of the dead is a good place to keep out 01' as long as one can. Let not our churches and prayer-meetings seem like it. It has been said that this is the stillcst world wc will ever sec, and that is doubtless true as far as the expression of joy is concerned. 1'\0 one who has ever tasted the joys or redeeming love wi ll be satisfied without it, even in this world. He it; like a homesick chi III in a foreign land. Nothing long pacifies him. Cunningly contri led and gaudily painted toys dangled and danced before him may take up his attention for a time; candy may assuage his grief briefly, while the sweet taste lasts; things that glitter may momcntarily break the spell; but anon the olel grief and the longing for home and father and mother and their precious cOlllpan} comes back, intensified rather than diminished, until the tears flow freely. But at last absent relationships arc 011ce more cstablished, and then even the tears of joy at the meeting will dry up, and tlu- old twinkle and brightness of the eye return, and satisfaction and joy pervade the countenance and break fOl,thintolauglitel' and singing. H that child ever gets separated from its parents again it will not be its fault. So the joy of the Lord is the COJllort and strength 01' f His people (Neh. vii i. 10). 'I'hey cannot realise their acceptance in B im without it; they cannot be effectual workers in His service and he destitute of it. The Lord, before He left the world, left His peace with His disciples, and spake words to make their joy 'full. He left no legacy of real estate except an heirship ill the .vbrahamic prorn ise ; He left no jewels save the priceless ornament of a meek ami quiet spirit; but He left a name above every name, and the example of a life worthy of all 0111"ollowing, and a hope and.a joy and a f crown of rejoicing that excel all others.

ILis disciples in all ages have enjoyed all this until llcaUI, and passed it along to UB; and if wc arc not eujoying it, too, it is our fault and not His nor theirs. It i" because sin hath yet the dominion with us; and the joy of the Lord will not take up a joint reign with that, and you can depend 1lpon it. So in order Jar the restoration or the joys or sal vatiou OIKe enjoyed, and the glorious upholding or His free :-Spirit once experienced, a purging and a cleansing may be ucccssarv, as was the case with David. He wanted it, he prayed for it (Psa. Ji. 7). May wc be as humble and desirous of all the Lord has Jor us as was he, and then we shall be useful and effectual servants in His Word and work, and we can teach transgressors His way and sinners shall be converted unto Him (Psa. li. 13). ,Ve wi]! JH11'ecm influence that a joyless liIc does not have, and that perhaps wc never had before. But (10 not mistake human jingle for this joy. 'I'hat wi Il mix in wi th sin or anything else. Heavenly joy harmonises only with heavenly things. 'I'uncs that move the foot (10 not always affect the heart profitably. John, in his Book of Revelation, said of that great couipany of the redeemed that "they sung a new song." If he had heard some of the modern tunes as "rendered": in churches nowadays there would be additional pertinonce in his words. Let us have the spirit of that new ,",ong here, if wc cannot quite catch the key ancl the words until we reach the deathless shore.-O. E. Oopp, in "Our Hope."

1Regulattng

tbe jLtqnor ~rafftc.

"REGULA'l'Bby license." God save the mark! Regulate the bolt of lightning hurled from the sky by sprinkling wizard oil on the ragged edges of the cloven cloud. Hegulate a cyclone with a palm leaf. Regulate the surging tide 01' the old ocean by placing another spot on the moon. Regulate the hoarseness of the north wind by putting a cough drop out of the window. Regulate the snapping of a mad clog by putting a revenue stamp on the head of the worthless cur. Regulate a gun by shooting it off an inch at a time. Regulate the colour 1)[ the Ethiopian'::; skin by sprinkling him with cornstarch. Regulate a powder magazine by thrusting a red-hot poker into it. I t is as rational to attempt to accomplish each and all o I' these impracticable and impossible things, as to hope to lessen the consumption, or mitigate the horrors of the traffic in rum by license. Licensing the liquor traffic is the li quor dealer's strategy and the politician's moral whitewash to cheat the people.-O.O.A.

:N aturc wi II not willingly (lie, nOT be kept down, nor 1)('OH'TeOIllC, or he subject to any, nor be subdued. But n grace studieth self-mortification, resisteth sensuality, scekcth to be subject, is willing to be kept under, and will not use her own liberty.-K em.pis.

140
.. ' e
1

THE

BIBLE

STANDARD.

SEPT8MBER, ID07. safe way. Make sure of each step before the next is taken. Once more, let nu,;ay that during the course of the history within the four Gospels, baptism is irnruersron 111 water, guarantceiug remission of sins, consequent upon the reception by the .Iew of a message relating to a proffered establishment of a kingdom. 'I'hosc who accepted the message obeyed God's counsel, and ranged themselves in readiness for the restoru.tion of Divine rule ii: Israel, Did the resurrection any change? of Christ ruu.ke

Cb~fiom~ ird~.
~
4 .. ' . V4."~

Talks on Eternal Life.

No. VH.-Contim,ed. You have roused my interest in this quest.ion, and 1 promise you that I will follow closely duce. ready any evidence you may adme, and am and proof1 have my Bible with for your propositions

texts. Wel l, allow me first to centre your attention upon the fact that ere our ~"viour's public ministry began, John was "sent" before Him, to announce the sturt Iing' message, "Repent ye, for thc kingdom of heaven is at hand." This is declared by the evangelist Matthew to be in fulfilment of a prophecy by Isaiah: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, Make His path straight."

FOR THEMSELVES THE COUNSEL OF GOD, BEING NOT BAPTISED OF HIM" (Luke vii. 2!J, :30). The rejection by the Pharisees and la wyers "for themselves" of God's counsel c.uricd with it also the rejection for the nation, as the after events showed. Let us note at this stage that baptism was attached to the proclamation of a message which announced the near approach of the promised kingdom-a kingdom which, according to covenant and prophecy, should be set up in the land of promise, should belong to Israel, and should be ruled over by a descendant of David, That message also insisted upon a present readiness of heart, and submission to the will of God, to bc testified in the rite of baptism, the Divine promise assuring to' ali who t.h ux prepared themselves the "remission of sins." There is no thought of the present dispensation and the curren t offer of mercy which reaches to all irrespective of race or clime, and which has for its immediate result union with Christ, and the certaintv of eternal life ut His return. ., Then, if I unum' stand you aright, you would exclude this John's baptism from <l,nydiscussion as to the position baptism may have in relation to the Church of the present? Quite so. The fn.i lure to note Limes, persons, and design of the teachings has resulted in the present confusion which 1110st assuredly provu.ils in the churches on this and other important topics. Was there any change when the Lord commenced His message? No, his preaching related to the same subject as that of .Iolm, and He taught that the faithful Lsrael ite must submi t to t h is accompanying rite of baptism, which secured the remission of sins. "Now after that John was delivered Hp, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching tile gospel of God, and saying, .rUE TIME is FlILFILLIW, ANn 'l'UE KINGDOM OF GOD
J~ AT HAND; HEPEN'l' YE AND BELTEVE 'rHE

That question introduces to the second division of this subject. 1 have said that new conditions were brought in by His resurrection, and now I will try to put these before you, asking you to note the evidence that lies in the history of the times, and the exact language employed to record it. The first statement to be considered is, of course, that w hich is contained in what is generally called the Great Commission: "And Jesus came to them and spuke unto them saying, ALL AUTIIOHITY llATH BEEN GIVEN UNTO ME IN HEAVEN ANJ) ON EAHT.lI. Go YE THEREFORE ANJ) :MAKE IllSCll'LES OF ALL THE NATlO:\'S, BAPTIZING 'l'llEM lNTO THE NAME OF 'I'll;';
l'-'A'l'llEH" HOLY AND OF

THE SON,

AND

or

TJ1E

If I aSI( you to note the nature of the message procla.imed, it is that you may rightly lay hold upon the reference which ba.pti sm had to it. This message at John's was to Jews only. He was not "sent" to any people but those of his OWll race. The theme which he declared had a meaning to them, which it could not have had to allY other peoples. Tle lmd in view no church organisation. 1101' is there any evidence that he contomplutcd repentance and baptism as preparations for a life beyond the gra\e. H(, heralded the auvent of 'Messiun, with whom should come the kingdom; but as requisite preparations the people must become ready ind ivid.ually, and as a State, to receive Hi m. '1'0 thi nd .)01111 \\'a" "s(,lIt," and the baptism of repentance was the act on the part of tile ind ividuu l by which he a vowed his desire and readiness to receive the kingdom of God on the Divine terms. On the other side, it was the act that made the dividing line between the kingdom participant and he who, by refusal to agree to the terms, shut himself out of that kingdom when it sh uld come. But let me nndetstund you just here. ])0 vou mean t hat this baptism had to do \;.ith a national JIllessage? Most certa.iu ly, The "llles~e]lger" sent before the Lord's presence was to "prepare His wav" and He 'whose \va.y was thus to be l;l:epared was the appointed Heir to Davi.I's throne, the Restorer of the kingdom which had been "removed" (,[i;zek. xxi, 26, 2'7). For th is kingdom ami this King the nation was waiting. I ts readiness for both would be tested by the words and deeds of tile messenger. Now not.ice whu.t happened. Two verses in the Gospel of Luke put the case ex:tdly:"Aml all the people when they hea.rd , and the publicans, justified God, being bn ptised witl: the bapt ism of John. But the Pharisees and the lawyers m';JECTElJ

SPUUT; teaching them to observe all thillgs whatsoever 1have commanded YOu; and, 10, I am with you unto tilt) end of the age" (Matt. xxviii. 18, 20). There is no difference indica.tcd in th ad itself-it is still immersion-but there are important things here given which diff'ereutiate it from the baptisn of .Iohn. Let us note them: (1) The source of autbority is changed. John was "sent" from God, ",cnt to baptize;" but now the Lord issues the marching orders upon a basiwhich has come into existence by the Jewish rejection of His Messianic claims ,wu His obedience uuto death. He cornru.uids, and these cornruauds the disciples a.re to hand on to those who become obedieru. to His will and submit to baptism, "teaching them to observe."
(2) Mark the ground of "authOl'ity." He does not command as the Saviour of 'len who died to save them from sin and death, n01' does He speak to those disciples as tile Head of the Church. He claims unquestioned a.uthori ty over heaven and earth, and as the Possessor of an authority now sends forth His ambassadors.

(JOSPEL" (Mark i. 14, 15). "After these t h ings came Jesus and His disci pies into the land of .Iudea , and there He tarried with them and baptized" (John iii. 22). "Wh en therefore tile Lord knew how that the Pharisees had heard that .Iesus was making and bn,pti7.ing more disciple. than John (although Jeslls Hi III self baptized not, but His disciples), He left .Iudea and departed into Sa.mariu." (Jolm iv. 1-3). A careful comparison of these and the other passages in the Gospels will give a clear understanding of all the facts, and will show that there was no change in the nature of the message. nor at any time did this Gospel-preaching and the accompanying act go outside of Israel. Up to the crucifixion of the Lord occurred no change, and from the whole of the history nothing can be drawn which would show that a eh urch relationship such as now exists was intended to be instituted. But tms is a rigid method of exami n a.tion, which, I fear, .will meet with but little acceptance. Perhaps so, but if we would arrive at truth it is obvious that this is the only

('1'0 bc continued.)

"Memory is the only clock that can strike again the dear, dead hours of the past." Here is a loos mg-glass to show you your spots, and a laver to wash them off; here is a casket full of jewels, a heaven full of stars, a book full of God. Look in that glass, wash in that lavor, claim that casket, gaze on that firmament so fuIJ of the stars of promise and prophecy; and love that God who hath exa.I ted His word above all His name; that it may be well with you for ever.lee, John Cox.

flEPTEMflER, 1907.

THE

BIBLE

STANDARD.
apostles he associated with Him? "I appoint you a kingdom, as ]\[y Father hath appoinlerl ~le, that y(' maJ7 eat and drink at ~I,I- table in 1\ly kingdom" (Luke xxi i, 2!)-30). Does not this speak of a time when Christ shall reign and keep a table like it prince. at which His friends shall fre!'ly eilt and drink (see Isaiah xxv. 6) ? These' and like passages have nothing to do wi t.h Il is spiritual kingdom (Rom. x iv. J7). which is now to be found in the hen rb of His people. but refer to the e-;1rthly kingdom. of which the roval centre wi l l he }follnt Zion and .Ternsa Iem ([saiah ii. i-n. But the plainest and most explicit of all the Bible (leclarations as to the re turn of Christ beiore the tri umph of truth alHi righteousness on this sinstained ea rt.h is in the words of Arts iii 20-21_ I t is at "the times of restoration of all things" that God will "send back the Cluist. even .Iesus.' This cannot be t (1I'llat is commonly called) "the last d.iv.' been use that awfnl day will bp a day of desolation and destruction of nli;ny things. Xloreover, these times of r(,,,torH t ion W('re- "spoken of by tho month of (11(' holv prophets." E\'en our opponents admi t that the writinzs of the 01(1 TC',ta mcnt prophets a re full of descriptions of the millennial age. And it is at the (,OlJlme11reI11PllI of the times of restoration tha t thc inspired apostle Peter i: !1iR sorruou rlC'rlHlw1 that tl1f' Christ wa to return. Rtudenls of prophecy divide into two -c-hool-, of though], as regards the 1[illenn iu m. The- one hold wha t is called prem illen nia l views, and the other post-millonniul views. (Prae. beforo , post, after -Latin p refixes.) The dispute is as to whether ou r Lord returns before or after the Vl il lcnn ium. Most ministers and mission.uir-, ho ld tho latter view. because tile." doclu rr- the-ir mission is to convert the 1I'01'Id and bring in the- grand mi llenlll:l 1 ag<, beiorc Christ returns. I can "elnclnlll'r-as a hov sea ted in a pew at (11(' 'I"ILJcrllaell'-llcaring the- Jute C_ H. Spurg('on dccl.uc that nothing less than "London for Christ" should he the aim of the- associated churches. Hut even in those early days I mcn tu.l lv fought him, for r had lc.uncd from the writings of tha t 111 n of God and mnxtor of the Scripa Lures, tile la to Dr. Lcusk, the teachinrr of ('hl'i,( n nd :llis apostles HS to the mis~ion and destiny of the Church. GrifTith .Jolm. the- cm incnt Chinese missionary. h:l~ just made an appeal to the English rh urches to make a stupendous effort, for ('hina is waiting for the Gospel, and can he- Clnist ianised in one generation. A movement is afoot in the American Churches to send thousands of missionaries abroad, so that within half a cont:Ll',Y the world shall be evangelised. };eedletis to sav. these good, earnest me-n hold poxt-m illcu.uian views. Hut \\'(' are none the less convinced that they havmistnkon the mission of the Church and the intentions of its Founder. The Scrip tures all through teach the pre-rn il lennin l return of our Lord and Master, for Tl ipersonal presence is sorely need eel. ;Ind is alone adequate for dealing with tile woes and 'orroll's of mankind_ The Millennium is the golden 'tgc for 'I'hich the I,"orld-in a,1I past ages-l)'ls

letters to a Young Friend on the Study of Prophecy.

LETTER'i'll. TITJ;j~nLUijN)l"TU~[-'rlI~:\,? :'Ill' DI':AH FBlEXD, It is most important to have clen r I'i('''-S ('onC'erning the t im c of the mil11'11 i 11111. (The English 11 word "mi llcnIlium" means a thousand voars. and is dr-ri vr d from two La ti n "-~rds. mille, a t housn nd, and 01111 ue. a vea r.) For n~illon niu l truth is the key that opens up 1'(,1'.1'much of God's Word; without that key it is impossible for vou or anyone to understand unfu lfll led prophecy. Accord ing lo your belief as to the time of the millennium will be your understanding of the prophetic Scri p turos. We cannot have a right conception of the drift of the Scriptures wi thout an enlightened apprehension of this great truth. so the necessity of a thorough studv and invcstig Lion of this subject iuust he admittcd by every unprejud iccd mind. BeLake yourself. therefore. to the diligent study of the Divine 'Yord, and prayerf'ullv examine its teaching on this point. 'I~ if you had never done so before, that is. wn.nout any preconceived theory of \'0111' 0"-11. or of anvone else. The man ~)f Lhe- world wi ll tell \'011 that huma r invcntions, man's OW11" over-progressinp wisdom and skill. wi ll hring about the gol,l('n age; the membe-r of the Church dre-ams of the- world's gradual emancipation bv the laborious zeal and mu ni ficen t Illwraiilv of the Church. But wha t sa ith the R('riptures? Take pen and paper a nd write- down all the passages you can finr in the New Testament that heal' upon this qnostion. and then-after ponderinu then' in vour heart-give answer as to ulicn Lhe Millennium shall bc. - And I Hill I)('rsll<,ded YOll will arrive at the concluxion to which [ came years ago, i.e., that not till al t er the return of 0111' hlcsserl LOI'(I is there ,1l1,V hope of tluuplifting of Lhl' uuman ruco, and that thc ideas of the wo rlrl lv mu n and the bulk of Christian folk a re u liko unscri ptura I and doluai ve. "Christ's system is slowlv but gradu ally a dva ncing. \"I1<'n the work is atr-om pl iahr-d 11e- wi ll come again, but not before. Prc-mi l lcnnia.lism is a d re.un." So writes the learned editor of ,t leading religious paper. Hut the controversy cannot be settled offhand after Lhis. fashion. \Ve ca ll upon our opponents to submit themselves to the same- test wh icl WP I'igorollsly apply to ourselves, W( must 1",1'(' an explicit "Thus sa ith thrT ord" for everv doctrine we hold in re;1 rd to the fut~re_ H is asserted by those who are expectin" the ne-ar advent of a m ii lcnn iuru Ill' 111('';;.nsof human agencies: (1) That Christ has been reigning in Zion (by II'I,i(,\, thov mean the Christian Church) and sea leA on David's throne for the last 2,000 F"rs, This is astounding iuf'or mation; for Zion is not the Church, and DH virl's throne was never situate in heaI'en: a nd it is Satan, not Christ, who, up to this hour, has been "the prince of this 1I'0rld" (1 Cor. iI'. 4; John xiv. 30),

Jesus is in heaven on His Father's throne (Rev. iii. 21), waiting the appointed time when He shu II ascend His own. (:2) They quote the Old Testament prophecie concerning the ~'l illennium. a nd triumphantly point to the fact (hat no second ('ollling is hinted at there. The correctness of this may be challenged. but f01 present purposes all we need to say is that the Cluist.ia n dispensation now running it.s course- between the rejection of the .Ir-wish nation and their being restore-d to God's [avour was quite unknown to the Old Testament prophets. ] t was a secret h idden ti 11 revea led to the Apostle- Paul (Eph. iii. 1-(2). And consequent lv. in their prophecies, there is no reference to, or hint of, the rise, decline and fall of the Christian Church. Likewise the roturn of the Messiah to heaven, her-auso of Hi. rejection by tile' Jews, Hnd His second coming to earth. I\"HS n t ruth unknown to the ancien' suiu ts. How, then, could they speak of H second Advent 11'11<'11 lh!'.I' were in ignor,In('0 of till' d isn at rous outcorn of th nrst. and the long intorvu l of time that should follow oro D,II-id'" throne should he ro-extn hl ishcd and :'IlC'ssiah he Kin" ai .Ic rusa lvm ? (3) Th!'n 11-1'hal-e a CJI~t"tion from the second Psa l m, "Thou shalt break t hem wi Ll: n rod of iron. and dasl. them in pieces like n potter's vessel." .vnr! II-e-arc gra.l-ely told. ,[t is a mixta l to suppose- th.i t such predictions refer tc ,In.l' one- .u-t completod at once at the end of this Hge. They rather foretell 'I spi rituu l pl'oe-e"s which has hor-n O'oiu" on for ccnturies. h.l- which God io 1;7eHt illg' wickcdncs= and nUl king all end of sin. Slowl and gradually and iuwn rd ly, and not hy 11n5' outward. sudden, violent ,Rtmk!', i, tbl' I":ingdolll of Christ to 1)(' ostahlishod." So Christ is reigning torlay in the hearts and l ives of men, and that reign-c-which is one of spiritual conquest and moral subjugation only-is rupid ly to spread unti 1 the final victor." is g'ainr'd, a [ter ioliict: Christ shall ro turn, judge the quick 'lIU] the dead, a nd destroy tile earth by fire. These arc specimen s of tile way ill wbich is bolstered lip the idea of a corning m illcun iu m, conspicuous bv the ab, "1'1\('e- of the Lord and Mnstcs. A wellk nowu Lo nrlo n prcachor, a short wh ik. ag'o. (IC'(,I:l !'(1 "There r is not " sol itarv passage in tho New Testament which teaches that Christ will return to personally reign on the earth. Not a tittle of evidence in proof of it can be adduced from tile Old 01' New Testaments." It takc- a wa.v one's hroa th to read such a statement. and we- can but deplore the metropolitan preacher's lack Scriptura I knowledge. Do we not read of some- who "waited for the Kingdom of (iod" (Luke x x iii. 51),. of others who "sllpposed thu t the Ki ngdom of God was iuuued in telv to 'lpp('ar" (Luke x ix. 11) ? Nllreiv the-ir bo liof wax that the heavensent iCing \I-as about to bo revealed ami to set IIp God's l(ingrlonl. which p rimnrilv would consist of thr- uation of Israel a;,(1 then expand till all the nations of ('arth should own II is glorious sway! "Whe-n tho Son of Man shall sit on His throne, YC' also shall sit on twelve thrones'" (Matt.. xix. 2R) _ What can this me'ln except that -,[(' lI'i 11 reigll, and the

a.

THE
been looking, desiring, expecting. Men of high and low degree hRH', in d iIfcrcn t wa.rs, striven to hustcn this gtoiious time. BuL in va in. The remova l of Sill and suff'ering From the world is beyond mortal power. Xothing less than the personal presence and manifested pOII'er of the Immorta l Son of Gael can bring about this wondrous change. When our Lord returns from heaven-e-and not till then-will dawn the Jong-wa ited-f'or mi llcnnia l age.-Your friend. CAHPUS.

BIBLE

STANDARD.

SEPTEMBER,

1907.

x. 2,

This salvation of God was COH' if:iSi,cd ,,'jUL the sal va tio n as taueh: in the New Theology. "

At the Bible Class on Wednesday evening, July 24th, a series of addresses on Paul's Epistle to the Thessalonians was commenced, Bro. Aldridge pointed out the seven Epistles which apply to the Church of the present dispensation, especially directing attention to Romans, the Salvation 1'jpistle. Ephesia ns gives the posltiou and standing of the Church, and Thessalonians the practical Epistle-the Epistle of Hope. Wednesday evenings, 31st, and August 7th, the subjects spoken to in continuation of the readings, were deeply interesting. On the 14tll, the Association held its Annual Social, an account of which ap1)(';1)'; elsewher. zlst : The Bible Class was resumed and readings in 'I'hcssaloniaus continued, The first chapter ill the znd I';pistlf' was the topic. This called forth many questions, which were sa.tisfactorilv answered. W.G. GEOHGETOWl<:(B.G.).-Thf' Xell' 'Theotogy is spreading even to our shores, nnd there are many persons here who seem to be glad to hear that the Old Book is untrustworthy. 'Ve ha ve belicved that the Bible is the friend of all, high or loll', rich or poor, and that in our troubles we can find sympathy in its pages. Some are saying that Christ was a historical personage and a good man, and the greatest teacher the world ever saw. These are matters we IU\I'e to meet, and 1 am endeavouring to show where they oppose or fall short of the truth. I have presented the testimonies from the Gospels showing the claims and assertions made by Christ concerning Ilis real position, and then have said, "These present-day critics declare that Christ was a good mall, and we believe it; but a. good man does not tell lies and deceive the people-as .Jesus did if these sta.temen ts of His are nth true! The fact is that there is a good deal more in this ma.tter than appears on the surface. The Bible is the book of the Tlebrew race; it records their history. and it contains many predictions relating to thei I' future history. In the past there wen' prophecies that passed into fulfilment, and the condition of that people to-day is a living testimonylto the truth of prophecy. Connected with their past history, and wrought into their very existence, are the covenants and promises which demand the advent of the Deliverer, the Messiah. Jesus is the only Person the prophetic garment will fit. He claims to be that Person who was predicted. All New Testament writers agree that He is the Seed of Abraham, and the Son of David; and Paul's Gospel affirms Him to be the promised Second Man the Seed of the \Voman. These things will stand. Men who are but of yesterday talk of the . New Theology, and do not know that they are but setting forth the old 'oppo-

aitions of science, fa.lsely so-called,' the old lI'eapolls which Satan has employed lrom the begiuuing, ill the uttcrnpt to hinder the progress of God's plan fur IlIan's redcmpuou." This was lily theme at our meeting 'on Sunday last, and I trust it wi 11 be strengtheni ng to Lhos who listcned to it.s--Yours in 101'e, \Y. S, E])GEHILI~.

CHRISTIAN BAND.
~~~~

Chureb and Mission News.

III ...rtL. IL ..~ ..illl!,...au. ",'

w~*-*.i"'****~i":W>l<

..oiHo"<II

AUCKLAND.-The inclement weather that prevailed during the la.st few weeks die! not, with the exception of one Sundav, materially aff'eci the a Ltendances at Lhe evening services. The subjects to which attention was directed,' proved v.er.\" a t tract ive. and we hope th expositions wil! ha ve a beneficial ofl'ect. and induce some to seck after God. ,'t~nda~. 2.8th .Julv. Bro. C. B. King presided this morning in place of Bra. 'Vild. who. olying to the boisterous weather. could not cross t hr- harbour. 'Ye la d a good address and cxho rtn Lion bv Bro. Wllcoe k from Romans vi. 23. With us in fellowship w('r(' Rro. Williarns and ~is. Battson of the Thames. In the evening the second of a series of add rcssr-s (r(,I'i('l\-ing tho ~('\I' Thoologv) was delivered. ont itlod "The ,)ivinitv of Cln-ist." Manv passages from .John's Gospel were read, which indicated the claims made by Christ of His relationship to Gor1. o'thrr passages wen' cited. which showed the noccssi ty for that relationship. Sunday. 4th August: Bro. Aldridge presidc(l, a rid gnl'p an fl(lrl]'P~s frorn 2nd COl'. 8th cha ptr-r. In the evening tile audience was edified bv a grand discourse on the subject of "A inless Christ," Sunday, 11th August: Bro, Dixon presided, and spoke from Romans x ii. 'Vi1 h u in fr-llowsh ip th is morn ing-. Bra. and Sis. }IcDell and Bro. Cliffe. Tn the evening the subject spoken to was, "The Death of Christ: It s } Ir-an ing to the Race." Sunday, J8th: Bro. C. B. King presided, and Bra. Page gave an excellent address, basing his remarks on Colossians i. 21 to 23. IVith us in fr-llowsh ip. Bro. Shr-l don of 'I'uakau. In the evening Bro. C. B. King conducted the serv ice. and del ivered ,l. ~o,)(l address from Luke's Gospel xxiii, I to ~,5. the title being, "A Bad Man's Test.imonv Concerning Christ." Sunday, 25th: Bro, White presided and spoke from the Epistle of .Iude, In the evening the subject of discourse was based upon Acts xxvii i. 28: "God's Salvation," Salvation Saved from destruction through faith, See Romans

.Iu ly 22.-The theme for this meeting was, "Our Need." It was divided into th ree hea<!s-"Prayer," "Guidance," and "Strength" "Prayer" being the part deal t wit h by Sister A. Phipps, who ,howed prayer is the heart's sincere de~ire to. make k nown our requosts with thanksgiving. 80 that we may keep in touch with our Heavenly Father, a nd tnus obtain strength for present need. "(]uidancp" occupied Sister K Battsons thoughts, ,he emphasised the fact of our need of Di vino guidance, so that w IIIight come off more than conque-ror th rough TIi III thn t loved us. "Strength ,. \I':1S next dca It with In' Rister )l'. Green. who oxhortr-d us to be 'strong in the Lord and t rust 11 is power, because He givcth strength to His children, so that we Illay hring forth much fruit to His glory. .Iuly 29 was Question Xight, and, ns was expected, the members came burdened with such questions as are sure to accumulate in the minds of the young Bible student and cause shadows and darkness, but with the searchlight of Truth, and by rightly dividing the word. the difficul ties were soon dispelled, Bra . U. Aldridge answered these to the general satisfaction of the Band. August 5 (Roll Call Night) ,-"Christ as Prophet," a paper written by Bro, Webbcr, who spoke of the prophet whom the Lord would raise np like unto Moses. Spite of the unbclicf of the Jews and the rejection of the Christ, He wi II C0111(, Hgain to ostabtish the Kingdom of God, An interesting letter was read from Bra. Bradbu m, who warned us agn i nst tho subtlety of evi l, that unless we are watchful tile tendrils of sin will gradun.lly entwine themselves around us and cause us to become barren und un Iru itfn l. August 12.-Debate, "Should a Christian be a Soldier?" Bro.A. Smith took up the affirma.tive, and said that the soldier was necessary for our well-being as :1 nation, that we might maintain the great heritage which our forefathers have bequeathed to us, giving passages of Scripture showing that to fight is allowed by God. He instanced the names of Christians who have been soldiers and fought the na tion's battles. and pointed out that this occupa.tion often hrings ont the best qualities of tho mn n who, because he is a Christian, is more Ill/mane and noble. Bra. C. B. King took lip the negative, and showed that Isaiah represented Christ as n Lamb, and consequently not of a warlike nature. His

SEPTEMBER,

1907.

THE

BIBLE

STANDARD.
SOMETHING TO BE FOR.

143
THANKFUL

kingdom is not of this world. As Christi.ms, wc must follow His example. Peter wus told to put his sword into its sheath. Soldiers now have to fight to satisfy the greed and avarice of ungodly men, and outrage the name of Christianity by (h'''il'o~-ing ilfe and deluging the earth wil.l: innocent blood. WHEN NIAGARA FALLS DRY. RAN

In the early spring of 1848 occurred n natural phenomenon so strange, so sudden, and so stupendous, that the older inhabitant's of western New York sti ll speak of it with awe and wonder. This phenomenon was nothing less than the running dry of Niagara Falls. The story is seldom recounted now; but it was a nine-days' wonder for the whole country when it appeared in the newspapers. For the first time in history the roar of the grandest cn tarnct in America was hushed. In the early morning of March 31, 1848, people living in the vicini ty of the falls were awakened by a peculiar hush, as startling in its suddenness and intcnsity as the most th underous explosion could have been. Manv dressed and hastened outdoors, urged 'by a conviction that something appn lling had happened, or was about to happen. Some thought the end of tho world was at hand. Others imagined that they had grown suddenly deaf. Still others thought that the hush preceding a terrific hurricane had f'a.llen upon thc air. A11 were oppressed with a feeling 01" profound awe and dread. It was soon discovered, however, that thc eossation of the roar of the falls was the sole causo of this common panic. As the dim light of ea rlv morning grew stronger, the people wore uble to see the now almost bare precipice of the falls, over which but a short time before thousands of tons of water had been pouring. Only here and there small streams, constantly growing smaller, now trickled down the face of the towering wall. Above the falls, instead of the rushing, foaming river, only a naked channel, studded with black and jagged rocks, appeared. The bed of thc river was practically exposed from shore to shore, except for small streams, like mountain brooks, running slowly to the verge of the precipice. The spectators could hardly believe their cyes. Some remarkable feats were performed on that day when Niagara ran dry. People walked from the Canadian side of the river, along the edge of the frightful precipice, nearly as far as Goat Island on the American "side, and never ovenwe.t their feet. Some went exploring in the river bed above the falls, and discovered a number of ancient gun barrels, lost, probably, by sportsmen up the river in long-gone days, and still, after the rotting away of the stocks, slowly forced down stream by the current. Caves a~d curious formations in the rock were dIScovered the existence of which had never been su'spected before. All that day, March 31, 1848, Niagara Falls remained dry; and people who re-

rnained up until late at night, expecting to see a cktnge, went to bed without witnessing it. But in the early morning of April 1 the familiar thunder of the great cataract was once more heard, and every one knew that the mysteriously drained river bed was again pouring its flood over the falls. Now for the explanation of this strange phenomenon. It proved to be, after all, very simple. The winter of 1847 and 1848 had been one of extreme severity. Ice of such thickness had never been known as formed on Lake Erie that season. When the break-up came, toward the end of March, a strong northeast wind was blowing, which piled the zreat fields of ice in floes, and tben in hanks as high as miniature icebergs. Towa;'d night on March 30, ~he ,;ind suddenly changed to the 0pposl.te direction and increased to a tcr rific gale. which hurled back the piled-up ice, and drove it into the entrance of Niagara River with such force that a huge and a lmost impenetrable dam was formed. For a whole dav the source of the river was stopped up, an (1 the stream was dr-ained of its supply. By the morning of the 31st the river was practically dry, and thu~ for twentyfour hours the roar of Niagara Falls was stilled. Then, in the early morning of April 1, the ice-pack gaye way under the tremendous pressure from above, and the long-restrained volume of water rushed down and reclaimed its own,Young People. SPRING SONG.

Jt was it very dismal d'LY at the Bonds, until Craig Dennison came and brightened up the whole house. He made the change by getting Clarenee out of "the dumps." Cla rence had a sore throat and felt very blue. "Well," said Craig, "you've one thing to be thankful Ior. Aren't yon thankful you're not a giraffe?" asked Craig. "Think how much more miserable you'll be with two yards of throat to be sore!" Clarence had to laugh then, and that broke up the blues. The wet weather which has prevailed in the North Island has contributed not a little to the feeling of depression felt by \'ery many. But springtime is upon us now, and every bird that twitters in the early morning is bidding us to cheer nI', and the budding flowers remind us of the beautv wi th which God has surrounded us.' Away wi tl: the "blues." Sing and shine" WITH HEART AND VOICE.

Old Xlother Earth woke up Irom ,;Ieep. Ana found she was cold and bare; The winter was OH'r, the spring was near, And she had not a dress to wear! "Alas!" she sighed wi tit great dismay, "Oh, where shall 1 get my clothes? There's not a place to buy a suit, And a dressmaker no one knows." "1 '11 make YOll a dress," said the springing grass, .J ust looking above the gro~ll1d; "A dress of green of the loveliest sheen. To cover you all a round." "And we," said the dandelions gay, "Will dot it with yellow bright;" "1'.11 make it a fringe," said forget-menot, "Of blue, very soft and light." "\\'e']] embroider thc front," said the violets. "With a lovely purple hue;" "And we," said the roses, "will make you a crown Of red, jewelled over with dew." "And we'll be your gems," said a voie .. from the sh ade, Where the ladies' ear-drops live"Oranzo is a colour for any queen. Anl'the best we have to give." Old Mother Earth was thankful and glad, And she put on her dress so gay; And that is the reason, my little ones, She is looking so lovely to-dnv. Lucy "IV iieeloclc.

The very rare spectacle of a paid professiona 1 singer, such as Miss Lucio .Iohnstone, of the City Temple, resigning her appointment on conscientious zrounds bring'S to the front a question ~f the deepest importance. "How IlI'ln I sing with all my heart" (she says) "'He was Despised,' after a sermon in which all the views of Christ which tha.t anthem conveys arc reversed ?" The whole of the cthics of sacred singing are contained in that sentence. But it is pertincnt to ask, how many singers of "Sacred Solos" are bound by SU~l high principles? How many regard then' song as a sacred trust, to be sacredly discharged? And how many sing with all their hearts words of the deepest meaning t=-T'h Ohristian. BEARING THE BURDEN: FABLE. A

A poor mall, that, by casting his eyes and wishes on the circumstances of others, grew uneasy with his own, and wearied Heaven with his cornpla.ints, Jupiter, to content him, took up to his storehouse, where the fortunes of a ll mankind stood sealed up in bags, and bid him choose among them all. The man, with all his strength, lifted up the first, that of supreme command, in which were concealed tormenting cares, but could not support the burden. He tried a second and third, but all were too ponderous for his shoulders. At last he laid hold of one lighter than the rest, and desired he might have that, Take it, said Jupiter, and enjoy it, for indeed it is thine own, and learn from hence never to complain of Providence, "He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding , but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly."

144

THE

BIBLE

STANDARD.

SEPTEMBER,

1!J07.

lI)otllts for Jjloung ~astors.

New brooms sweep clean, and the noisiest welcome is not the most continuous cheer. One man cannot always keep both sides of the CODtract. A thoughtful usher is a means of grace. Repair all roads that lead to the church. Sabbath sickness is healed only by the unction of the Holy One. Perfection is never in the pulpit, and is seldom in the pews. The congregation is often tired with the pastor. The pastor is often tired with the congregation. And these two are equal. Harvests come Dot every two months. Church work is slow work, but that is no reason for sloth. If Aaron and H ur are not on the church roll, you may as well burn the books. Hear with both your ears. Hear with your own ears. The benediction is not an official order for overcoats. Drink water out of thine own cistern, and eat that which thine own larder provideth. As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is he that tasteth of all pulpits. Flu-off fields look green, and the other church hath also its disappointments. He who belongeth to all churches is of no use to am' of them. Free lances never win battles. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but that is no reason for sharpening the tongue whenever the pastor appears.-S elected.

~be :JBible Stant)art).

'I'he Bible Standard can be ordered direct from the 'I'reasurer MR. ALEX. PAGI;;, Murdoch Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland. ~. d. Price per annum, post free .. 02 Single copies

BOOK STEWARD-E. H. FALKN~~R. Queen Strcet. AGENTS FOR TH]<; BIBLE S'l'ANf)A1U): NEW ZEAl,AND. Auckland-Mr. Hancock, Bookseller, Queen Street. Wellington-H. J. Barraclough, Myrtle Crescent. Dunedin-Mr. Lawrence, Hope Street. Kaiapoi-Mr. James Holland. Rangiora-Mr. Wm , Smith. South Brook. New Plymouth-Mr. Fred Goodacre, Courtney Road. East Oxford-Mr. A. England. Thames-Mr. C. Sanders, Macky Street. 'I'ima.ru-c-Mr. H. H. King, Stafford Street. Tinwald, Ashburton-Mr. Shearer. Waihi-Mr . .Toseph Foster. Adelaide-Mr. Sydney-Mr. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. C. Gamble, Magill Road, Stepney. Nl~W SOUTH W ALl~S. H. Cropp, Mitchell Street, Kogarah. addressed: Telegraphic G 1<;0. A LlJIUDGl'; Address .. , Hock)"

Oommunications to the Editor to be Brant.wood Avenue, Mount Eden. Nook." All communications to the Association to be addressed to the Secretary and Murdoch Road. Grey Lyrm, Auckland.

and orders for Bible St(.~td(t1"f! 'I'ruas-u-er MR. ALEX. l AGR.

CHURCH
Hold Services 8S nnder:

OF CHRIST

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AllCKLAND-West Street. Sunday, at 11 o'clock a.m .. Fellowship Mt1n~ ' 6.45 p.m., Preaching Service. 8unday Scbool at 2.45. Wednesday evening, Bible Class at 7.40. J<;vil.ngelist's addrcss-c-Goo. Aldrtdge, Bren t.wood Avenue Mount Eden. Secretary-sW. Gibson, Ponsonby Road. ROSKILL HALLSunday .. at II a.ru., FellowshIp Meeting.

Every day that dawns brings something to clo, which can never be clone as well again. We should, therefore, try to do it ungruclgingly and cheerfully. It is the Lord's own work, which He has given us as surely as He gives claily bread. We should thank Him for it with fill our hearts, as much as for anv other gift. It was clesigned to be our life, our happiness. Insteacl of shirking it or hurrying over it, we should put our whole heart and soul into it.-Sel.
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IHJNEDIN-Oddfellows' Hall. Stuart Street: . Sunday at 11 a.m .. F'ellowsh'ip and Meeting. Evening Preaching Servtce 6.30 . Secretary's Adrlress- S. Lam-once. Hope St.reet., Duncdin. H ffiCJ<jNSVTLLE-l!'oresters' Hall. Snnday Morning, Fellowship Meet lug. Sunday Afternoon. Snnday S~ho()l. Sunday Evening, Preach In". Church Secretary. R. M. Cameron, l'HAMJ<jS-Pollen Street Lecture Hall. Snndav at 11 a.m., lJ'ellowshlp Mppt.lnll:. EvenlIig Service at 6.30. Sundnv School at 2,30. Blhle 'Class every Wednesday ev e "llI!! at IGvangelist-K H. TayJor, Bowen Strcet. Parnwa i. Secretary-Ch as. Sanders. Mackay Street, Thames.

. ",

'{treasurer's RcJmowletlgments.
To
28TH AUGUST,

1907.

W AIHI-'l'hc

Siondard. 8ubs.- 1:esdames G. Whitcombe, Mitchell, Svmes, Nowell, Hutton, Rowbotham, E. J. Kemp, A. J. \\hitesicle, Misses J. Townsencl, M. Collins, Messrs. Justice Button (Wellington), G. Hammoncl, Hardv, Clement, Morrison (Chaclwell), Morrison (Liverpool}, Williams, Willerton, L. J. Keat, J. H. Jennings, John .Icnkins, W. A. Hewitt, M. Bate, John Payne, Kosscll (Devonport), E. J. Smith, J. Hartley. Timaru Agency.-P. H. 11. King. Association 8ubs.-Mrs. G. Smith, Miss F. 'I'ownsend. ALEX. PAGE, Treasurer.

Miners' Union Hall. Sunday 11 a.m. Fello"vshiu Meet.irur ; 2.30 p.m, Sunday School. SUI;day Evening. at 7. A Public niblc Arld rnss. Church seoretarv=D. Donaldson. Evangelist-Jo"eph Foster, Waihi. Street Hall. Sunda v, at 11 a.m .. Fellowship Mpptln~. Aild;'pss-H. H. King. StafTorn Street. 'rlmn,",'

TIlI-IAllU-Sophla Sp('rptnry's

ADIGT,AIDE. S.A.-Druids Hall. BeuJah Road. Norwood. Se~rpt"ry'~ Ailrlress-F. R. Hug hes. Woodvlllp.

Printed by THE BRET".' P'UN1'ING ,'ND PUBLISHING COMPANY. Shor-tland Street. for the New Zealand F.vangeJist;ie and Puhlicn.tton Association. and uublished hv \V. A. SMITH. Selwyn RQII.d, Mt. Aibert, SEPTEMBER. 1907.